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Budget cuts shut down Ormond, New Smyrna airport towers

Published: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 4:13 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 8:42 p.m.

The Federal Aviation Administration says it will close 149 air traffic control towers at small airports including in Ormond Beach and New Smyrna Beach because of federal budget cuts.

The agency announced the decision Friday, a month after it released a preliminary list of facilities that could be closed.

All of the affected airports will remain open. Pilots will be left to coordinate takeoffs and landings among themselves over a shared radio frequency with no help from ground controllers. That's something they are trained to do, but airport directors have raised concerns about the potential impact on safety.

In an accompanying statement, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta says the agency will take steps to ensure safe operations at the affected airports.

Both Volusia cities said they are deciding how to proceed.

Cities earlier had a chance to lobby the FAA to keep their airports open, though the federal agency said it would only consider "national interest" pertaining to the effect of tower closures.

Ormond Beach had touted its airport tower as the fourth busiest in the nation when considering traffic density. The city also cited its participation in "Exercise America's Shield," a joint training operation used to bolster national security.

Six controllers work at Ormond Beach's tower, according to the city. Someone who answered the phone at the tower Friday said they were not authorized to comment.

Joe Mannarino, Ormond Beach's economic development director, said city leaders are planning to meet next week to decide what to do.

"We'll meet next week to see what our next steps will be," he said.

Mayor Ed Kelley said the city would look at all of its options.

"I'm guessing they're not very good," he said.

Rhonda Walker, manager of the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, said the future of the tower there would be one of the topics discussed at a joint meeting Tuesday between the City Commission and the city's Airport Advisory Board. That meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at City Hall, 210 Sams Ave.

Alan Norris, chairman of the city's Airport Advisory Board, said losing the control tower would hamper the city's ability to market the industrial park near the airport. It could also stop some corporate jets from landing at the airport, he said.

"Some companies that fly corporate planes and things have policies against flying into non-towered airports," he said.

<p>The Federal Aviation Administration says it will close 149 air traffic control towers at small airports including in Ormond Beach and New Smyrna Beach because of federal budget cuts. </p><p>The agency announced the decision Friday, a month after it released a preliminary list of facilities that could be closed. </p><p>All of the affected airports will remain open. Pilots will be left to coordinate takeoffs and landings among themselves over a shared radio frequency with no help from ground controllers. That's something they are trained to do, but airport directors have raised concerns about the potential impact on safety. </p><p>In an accompanying statement, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta says the agency will take steps to ensure safe operations at the affected airports. </p><p>Both Volusia cities said they are deciding how to proceed.</p><p>Cities earlier had a chance to lobby the FAA to keep their airports open, though the federal agency said it would only consider "national interest" pertaining to the effect of tower closures. </p><p>Ormond Beach had touted its airport tower as the fourth busiest in the nation when considering traffic density. The city also cited its participation in "Exercise America's Shield," a joint training operation used to bolster national security.</p><p>Six controllers work at Ormond Beach's tower, according to the city. Someone who answered the phone at the tower Friday said they were not authorized to comment. </p><p>Joe Mannarino, Ormond Beach's economic development director, said city leaders are planning to meet next week to decide what to do. </p><p>"We'll meet next week to see what our next steps will be," he said. </p><p>Mayor Ed Kelley said the city would look at all of its options. </p><p>"I'm guessing they're not very good," he said. </p><p>Rhonda Walker, manager of the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, said the future of the tower there would be one of the topics discussed at a joint meeting Tuesday between the City Commission and the city's Airport Advisory Board. That meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at City Hall, 210 Sams Ave. </p><p>Alan Norris, chairman of the city's Airport Advisory Board, said losing the control tower would hamper the city's ability to market the industrial park near the airport. It could also stop some corporate jets from landing at the airport, he said.</p><p> "Some companies that fly corporate planes and things have policies against flying into non-towered airports," he said.</p><p>Eight controllers work at the New Smyrna Beach tower.</p>